A Change Is Gonna’ Come

We realize that before we know it, the weather will cool and it will be time to put away the summer toys and put up holiday decorations.

It’s funny how something as simple as a few degrees cooler on the thermometer can signal all of that and more.

“You know, it’s Labor Day weekend . . .” one regular customer said to me last night at Bumper’s Landing. “It gets rainy after Labor Day.” he said. And with the rain comes changes in all aspects of life here in Michigan.

We do put away most of our summer toys. And with them quiet contemplation, relaxation and the slower pace that seems to renew our spirit.

But more than that, our entire persona changes as back-to-school takes center stage.

Can holiday madness be far behind?

After Labor Day, we begin the rush of everything that comes with a Michigan fall and winter. It happens so fast, we hardly can take a breath.

We shift our focus from flip-flops to football, our attention from potlucks to pumpkins and our thoughts from golf, gladiolas and glamping to ghosts, giblets and garland.

Oh, it happens fast all right, somehow turning on a dime some years. That transition when it’s eighty nine one day and sixty two the next, with storm clouds hovering and the threat of winter winds on the horizon.

That was how it seemed last night, as college football took center stage and people chose to sit inside in stead of by the water.

It was sunny, but there was a message in the wind that seemed to make everything about ten degrees cooler in the soul. The message was . . . “Enjoy it while you can, because a change is gonna’ come.”

We were outside, Carl and I. And to be honest, the folks who sat outside with us seemed not to notice a thing as the evening got cooler. They loved it, and made sure that we got their favorite request to help them enjoy it even more.

Remember, boater are hearty, happy and healthy drinkers; so nothing like a few dips in the old thermometer will really rattle their cages too terribly.

They did what they always do, had fun!

Our first and second sets were a collection of songs that we don’t play all that often. On this particular evening, we thought that we might just do some more eclectic type of songs. You know, songs that we think are great, but maybe don’t get as much play as the more popular music.

The response was positive. Then again, these people seem to love most anything or everything that we play.

We played more sets and more songs, but couldn’t help thinking how this summer soon will pass for good. It will soon be gone. Another wonderful warm memory of pleasant days and nights that could have been.

Soon the sun set, and with it most of the people who occupied the deck. They came inside at this point to get warm and enjoy the evening glow that had settled on Bumper’s.

We finished to a few hearty souls and realized as we packed up our gear just how important it is to have someone who is always there for us. Someone we can always trust, no matter what.

For those of you who love anniversaries and celebrate them often, remember August 31st, 2019. There is defiantly a change in the wind. It’s not just coming; it is here.

Rb

I was born by the river in a little tentOh and just like the river I’ve been running ev’r sinceIt’s been a long time, a long time comingBut I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

It’s been too hard living, but I’m afraid to die‘Cause I don’t know what’s up there, beyond the skyIt’s been a long, a long time comingBut I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

I go to the movie and I go downtownSomebody keep tellin’ me don’t hang aroundIt’s been a long, a long time comingBut I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

Then I go to my brotherAnd I say brother help me pleaseBut he winds up knockin’ meBack down on my knees, oh

There have been times that I thought I couldn’t last for longBut now I think I’m able to carry onIt’s been a long, a long time comingBut I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will